APPARATUS 
7 
the sliding microtome also has its advantages. Obviously, for sec¬ 
tions of stems and general celloidin work, where the knife is used in a 
Fig. 2.—The student’s microtome 
very oblique position, 
it is not only superior, 
but it is the only type 
which has proved to be 
efficient. Attempts to 
place the knife in an 
oblique position in ro¬ 
tary microtomes have 
not been encouraging. 
For very thin paraffin 
sections the advan¬ 
tages of the sliding 
microtome are such 
as appeal only to the 
expert. With both ro¬ 
tary and sliding types, 
a little of the paraffin 
is sure to stick to the side of the knife next the object after every 
section. Unless this be wiped off, the face of the block is dragged 
Fig. 3.—Clamp to hold an ordinary razor 
or a heavy microtome knife. 
